Method and apparatus for forming valves in bags



1929- L. H. HARTMAN 1,723,164

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Fil d n- 1928 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 4; Lows H. HARmAN.

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS' File v 1928 8 Sheets-Sheet gwuwntoz L UIS H. HARTMAPI 6, 1929. L. H. HARTMAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 9, 1928 w m W AA/ w 7 A m A MQN n M m ME W H mm M W m I. 3 mm I M A fl HV 1 K FM 111 s t W QM RE! 0 mm 3\ ME $2 L ME mw V n w EN QR om mm. mw w v: W mm 31: a QQ 0% lll llriuwuufl v S I. NH. l s 3 mi W. F M: 3 Q E\ Q bm m MM NM NNN \9 mm 1929- L. H. HARTMAN 1,723,164

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Filed 1928 4 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 6, 1929.

L. H. 'HARTMAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Filed Jan. 9, 1928. 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm m v glwuen toz Lows H. HARTMAN Aug. 6, 1929. H. HARTMAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Filed Jan. 1928 8 Sheets-Sheet m No mm m QYJ. 2 A mm 3 w 3 8 /M wmwm. M wlalbw v 0 Z w 1 2 a k mm MW 3 LOUIS H. Harman 1929- L. H. HARTMAN 1,723,164

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Filed 1928 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 L owi Hmmmam @VM/I/ L J (3H0: new-$0 Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES I LOUIS H. HARTMAN, F TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ST. REGIS PAPER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF'NEW YORK.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS.

Application filed January 9,

My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for forming valves'un bags, and more particularly for tucklng in one corner ot a gusset-folded bag to form a valve at the end of the gusset.

In forming the valves in bags, it has been proposed to cut a tube into lengths in such a way that an extension will be left on one corner of each length, and then tuck in that extended corner to form a valve. It is comparatively economical of material to make alternate cuts square across the tube and the intermediate cuts in such a manner that the extended corners are on opposite sides of the tube for the successive length, and the only material cut out and thrown away is that enclosed between these extensions and the adjacent ends of the successive length. This results in successive lengths having extensions on diagonally opposite corners.

It is desirable to receive such cut-off length directly from a cutter, or from a source of supply which has the bags in the same order in which they were cut from the tube, and for this purpose it is desirable to arrange a method and an apparatus whereby successive lengths are moved to dif i'erent positions and the valves tucked in while the lengths are in such different positions.

In the embodiment of the invention dcscribedbelow, provision is made for receivin l and valving bags with extensions formed in this manner, but it will be readily under stood that a similar method and apparatus can be used where there are no extensions desired.

Furtherobjects and details of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

Figure 1 is a plan View of apparatus embodying my invention, with parts broken away; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus viewed from the right of Fig. 1, with parts broken away and omitted; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus as viewed from the bottom of Fig. 1; Fig. 1 is a partial longitudinal section on the line 41 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sect-ion on the line 5-5 of Fig. Fig. 6 is a section, partly in elevation, along the line 66 of Fig. 10; Fig. 7 is a. vertical section on the line 77 of Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a section on the line 1928. Serial no. 245,362.

88 of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99 of Fig. 6; Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are sections on the lines 1010, 1l11 and 1212 respectively, on Fig. 1; Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view showing the gusset spreading apparatus in a different position from that in which it is shown in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a longitudinal horizontal section through the valver and valve operating mechanism; Figs. 15 and 16 are sections on the lines 15 15, 16-16, respectively, on Fig. 14; Figs. 17 and 18 are sections on the lines 17l7 and 1818 respectively, on Fig. 15'; Fig. 19 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view of a modification of the gusset-opening feature; Fig. 20 is a partial end elevation on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19; and Figs. 21 and 22 are detail sections on the line 21-22 of Fig. 19, showing the gusset-opening device in different positions.

In the drawings, mechanism embodying one form of my invention is shown mounted upon a frame 20,'which may be constructed in any suitable manner to support the various parts of the apparatus hereinafter 2 described.

At the receiving end of the apparatus there is a table 21 which is preferably substantially on a level with apparatus from which a substantial continuous series of be is to be received. It will be understood that the bags may be fed onto this table in any desired way, by hand or by semi-automatic or automatic machinery; but one device which co-operates with special success with this valver is a cutter which cuts a. succession of bag sections from a continuous tube of paper, the sections being delivered endwise in a substantially continuous succession.

A chain 22 runs in a groove 23 in the top of table 21 and has spaced lugs 24 thereon which project above the surface of the table. In the construction shown, chain 22 runs over sprocket wheel 25, sprocket Wheel 25 at the receiving end of the chain being preferably mounted upon a shaft 26 which in turn is mounted in bearings 27 slidable in guideways in brackets 28 extending from the end of table 21. Brackets 28 may be adjusted longitudinally of the table by means of screws 29.

Mounted in a convenient location there is 'the interior ofpipes 66 and 67.

a motor 30 which is connected to a main drive shaft 31 b means of a chain 32. Shaft 31 carries t ereon a worm 33, which meshes with a worm wheel 34 on a transverse shaft 35. Transverse shaft 35 carries a gear wheel 36 in mesh with a gear Wheel 37 on a shaft 38. Shaft 38 drives a sprocket wheel 39 over which the lower run of chain 22 travels. The chain may be held in contact with sprocket 39 by means of a tightener 40 mounted on brackets 41 beneath the table.

In advance of table 21 there is a table 42. This table is preferably at a somewhat lower level than table 21 for reasons which will be more fully explained when the entire operation of the apparatus is described. Table 42 is provided with a air of transverse slots 43 through which pushers 44 project to a short distance above the surface of the table.

Pushers 44 are supported upon arms 45 of a carrier 46 (see Fig. 4). Carrier 46 has an extension 47 which projects downward through a fork 48 of a lever 49 fulcrumed on the frame at 50. The other end of the lever carries a cam roller 51 which works in a cam groove 52 in the surface of a drum 53 mounted upon the shaft 35.

At each side of table 42 there is a valver and mechanism for receiving and discharging a bag from the valver. Inasmuch as the devices at the two sides of table 42 are identical except for features which will be hereinafter noted, like reference characters will be applied to the two valvers, and a description of one will suflice for both.

A valver casing 54 is mounted on a level with and substantially parallel with the table .42. A fixed support 55 partially abridges the space between the valver casing and the table 42. The gap between support 55 and table 42 is abridged by movable supports 56 which are loosely pivoted on a shaft 57. Each support 56 has an arm 58 attached thereto carrying a roller 59 adapted to contact with a cam 60 on a shaft 61 adjacent and parallel to shaft 57. Shaft 61 has fixed on its end a bevel gear 62 which meshes with a bevel gear 63 on shaft 35.

Vacuum nozzles 64 and 65 are mounted above and beneath the path of the bag as it moves towards the valver. Nozzles 64 and 65 are carried by pipes 66 and 67 mounted above and beneath the position of the bag to be valved and parallel with casing 54. Pipes 66 and 67 are mounted in boxes 68 and 69. A vacuum chamber 70 is connected by passages 71 and 72 through the boxes with A segmental gear 7 3 on pipe 66 is in mesh with a segmental gear 74 on pipe 67. A rock arm 75 on pipe 67 is operated by a cam 76 on shaft 61. An arm 77 projects from shaft 67 and is connected by a spring 78 to a fixed portion of the frame, so as to hold arm 75 in contact with cam 76.

A bracket 79 extends from the upper edge of caslng 54 over the position of the bag being valved, and a roller 80 is loosely mounted in bracket 79, so that it-can turn freely and is movable vertically.

The mechanism for the valver proper consists of clamps 81, Spreaders 82 and a tucklng finger 83. Clamps 81 are mounted upon levers 84 pivoted at 85. The free ends of levers 84 carry wheels 86. A rod 87 is slidable endwise of casing 54 and carries a wedge head 88 in position to contact wheel 86. A spring 89 connects together the free ends of levers 84 and holds wheels 86 in contact with head 88. A lever 90 is connected by an adjustable connection 91 with rod 87 and is operated by a cam 92 on shaft In the specific construction of the valver shown, the upper clamp member (see Fig.

18), comprises a clamping plate 93 carried by stems 94 projecting upward through the end of lever 84. Each stem 94 has a head 95 resting on the outer 'end of a sleeve 96 screwed into an opening in lever 84. A spring 97 between plate 93 and sleeve 96 normally presses plate 93 to the limit of its movement away from sleeve 96.

The spreader members are mounted on carriers 98 hinged at 99 upon a pivot transverse to casing 54. A rod 100 slidable longitudinally of the valver casing is connected by links 101 with the spreader carriers 98. A lever 102 is connected by an adjustable connection 103' with rod 100 and is operated by a cam 104 onshaft 61.

The tucking finger is mounted on a pivot 105 and carries teeth 106 in mesh with teeth 107 on a slide rod 108 mounted longitudinally of the valver casing. A lever 109 is connected by an adjustable connection 110 with rod 108, and is operated by a cam 111 on shaft 61.

On shafts 57 there are fixed rollers 112. Directly aboveshaft 57 there is a shaft 113 carrying segments 114 adapted to co-operate with rollers 112. Shaft 113 is mounted in boxes 115 (see Fig. 5). The boxes are supported in slideways '116 in a fixed portion of the frame. Set screws 117 limit the downward movement of boxes 115 'and the boxes are pressed towards a downwardlimit of their movement by springs 118 whose tension may be suitably adjusted by screws 119. I

Depressing arms 120 are loosely mounted on pipe 66 and carry rollers 121 resting on cams 122 on shaft 113.

A gear 123 on shaft 61 meshes with a gear 124 on shaft 57, and a gear'125 on shaft 57 meshes with a gear 126 on shaft 113, and this way shafts 57 and 113 are driven continuously. Arms 120 have downwardly directed ends 127 adapted to oscillate from a position above the level of table 42 to a position below its level when moved by cam 122.

At the outer end of table 42 there is a stop 128 mountedupon brackets 129 adjustable longitudinally of the table in slots 130. Stop 128 has ends 131 sprung somewhat towards table 21. A similar stop 132 is mounted upon the end of table 21 just above table 42. Stop 132 has its ends 1325 sprung slightly towards stop 128. If desired. the endof stop 128 or step 132, as the case may be, adjacent the end of swing 54 opposite from the valving device proper, may be moved at proper intervals towards the valving device properby means of a cam 134- on shaft 113. For longer or shorter bags stop 128 may be adjusted longitudinally of table 42, and the valving mechanisms are likewise mounted for corresponding end'wise adjustment, as by an adjusting screw A convenient mounting for the cams is shown in Figs. 6 and 9, and comprises a block 136 keyed on shaft (51. to which block cam 111 may be adjustably attached by bolts 137' passing through slots 138 in the ram. It will be readily understood that the other cams are similarly adjustable so as to accurately time the movements of the various members of the valving device. 1

Vacuum chamber may be evacuated by any desirable means, a vacuum pipe 139 being shown in the drawings connected with 'a pump 140 diagrammatically indicated.

Having briefly described the construction .of the mechanism, the operation of the device will be described.

The apparatus is intended to receive tubular lengths adapted to have a valve folded in one end of each length, preparatory to closing the end of the tube to form a valve bag. In the construction shown, the apparatus is particularly adapted to receive a succession of such lengths, successive lengths being adapted to have the valves tucked in at diagonally opposite corners. Such a succession of bags may be fed to the mechanism by hand, or may be automatically fed from a mechanism cutting such lengths from a continuous tube, or from any other source of supply from such length.

It will be readily understood that the lengths are fed in succession upon table 21 and are moved onto table 42 by continuously moving pushers 44.. The mechanism is timed so that a bag will drop onto table 42 when pushers 44 are at approximately the limit of their movement towards one side or the other of the table.

After a bag is dropped onto table 42, pushers 44 push it towards the respective valver casing most distant from the pusher-s. The mechanism is so timed that supports 56 are in the position in which they are shown at the right of Fig. 7 when the bag is being shoved towards the valver casing. In the normal operation of the mechanism constructed as shown in the drawings, pushers 44 move more rapidly during the central portion of their throw than towards the end thereof, and, therefore. there is a possibility of the bag sliding away from the pusher as it approaches the valver casing. In order to keep the bag snugly against the pushers and thereby accurately maintain its proper relative position for purposes which will be described below, means such as the hereinbet'ore described roller may be employed. Roller 80 by its inertia exerts a retarding influence upon the bag. so as to keep it snugly against pushers 44. The apparatus described is intended to be employed with a tubular length 141 having a gussetcd edge 142. The apparatus is timed so that nozzles (54 and 65 are swung with the advanced edge of the bag from the position. shown in dotted lines at the right of Fig. 13 until they rest squarely on the opposite sides of the gusset. Further movement of the nozzles to the, dotted line position shown at the. left of Fig. 13 separates the nozzles. as will be read ily apparent. In this way the gusset is opened so as to receive therein spreaders 8:2. As will be readily seen from Fig. 13, the parts are so adjusted that. the edges of the gusset are introduced between clamps 8t before they are spread apart as much as the open position of the clamps, so that the gussetis accurately positioned between the clamping members and outside of the spreading members.

If the bags are cut accurately to length, the spring ends of stop members 128 and 131 may be relied upon to position the bags longitudinally with sutficient accuracy; but where there is a material variation in the length of different bags, it is desirable to supplement the action of these spring fingers by a definite movement of one of the stop members, such as may be effected by cam 134.

After the bag is properly positioned in relation to the valving means, the clamping members are closed, the spreading members are opened so as to spread apart. the end of the gusset, and then the tucking finger is oscillated to tuck the end of the gusset fold in between the spread apart sides of the bag. Then the spreading members are closed, collapsing the sides of the bag against the tucked in portion and thereby completing the valve.

After the valve has been completed the bag is discharged. In the construction shown the bag is moved sideways and downward beneath table 42. The parts are so timed that immediately after the completion of the valving operation segments 114 engage the bag and press it against constantly revolving rollers 112, and thereby feed the bag away from the valver. The parts are timed so-that supports 56 are swung downward at Cil this time so as to permit the bag to drop beneath table 42. In order to insure this movement of the bag arms 120 are dropped at the same time so that their ends 127 positii'ely guide the edge of the bag beneath table 42. The oscillation of the vacuum nozzles may be so timed that they assist the operation of rollers 112 and segments 114 in discharging the bag, or the vacuum may be broken by any desirable means, not shown, immediately after the bags are placed in proper position with relation to the valver, so that the return movement of the nozzles is independent of any movement of the bag.

It will be shown the valving devices proper are at the opposite ends of casings 54 on the two sides of the apparatus. Inasmuch as successive bags are fed to opposite valvers, it will be readily apparent that diagonally opposite corners of successive length will be folded in to form valves.

An advantageous feature of the device is the position of table 42 slightly lower than table 21. By this arrangement it becomes possible for the end of a bag to be pushed out from table 21 over table 42 while the preceding bag is being moved sidewise from the table, as will be readily apparent from F ig. 4. In this way the mechanism may be speeded up, as the pushers 44 do not have to dwell at opposite sides of table 42 during the entire movement of a bag from table 21 onto table 42, but only during the final movement of the bag. It has been found in-practice that the oncoming bag may be shoved onto table 42 so that its forward end approaches the forward pusher 44 before the,

pusher reaches its extreme position out of way of the bag, so that the necessary movement of the bag after pusher 44 moves sidewisc from the path of the bag is little more than the distance of pusher 44 from end stop 128. 1

In Figs. 19 to 22 there is shown a modification of the pneumatic means for openings the gusset fold of the bag as it is placed in position with respect to the valving device. This modification of the gusset opener might be adapted for use in the valving apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 18, but it is more suitable for use where the bag is fed endwise into valving position.

In Figs. 19 and 20 there is shown a table 150, over which a bag may be moved, by hand or by any suitable automatic means, into and from valving position. The apparatus is adapted for feeding the bag into position longitudinally, as indicated by arrow 151, and removing it sidewise, as indicated by arrow 152.

A casing 153 is mounted at one side of the table, and this casing may house any suitable valving mechanism, that shown in the patent seen that in the construction.

' position.

issued to Bates, Dorr and Dancker, April 5th, 1927, Number 1,623,228, being suitable for. the purpose. Y

Above andbelow casing 153 there are transverse bearings 154 and 155 in which there 'turn sleeves, not shown. On the inner ends of. these sleeves, above and below the gusset fold of a bag in valving position, there are hollow rollers 156 and 157. On the outer ends of the sleeves there are mating gear wheels 158 and 159. Hollow pipes extend within the rollers, through the respective sleeves .and gears and bearing 160 outside of the rollers, to any suitable air-exhausting means. V-shaped vacuum boxes 161 and 162 are located within the rollers upon and in communication with the re spectivc pipes.

The lower sleeve is provided with a sprocket wheel 163 which is driven by a chain 164 from a sprocket wheel 165 on a shaft 166 mounted in a bearing 167. Shaft 166 may be driven in any suitable manner, but is preferably operated in timed relation with the valver mechanism and with the feeding and discharging means, if any such means is employed, so that the rollers rotate once for each valving operation.

The rollers are placed at such a distance I apart that the gusset-folded edge 168 of a bag 169 comes lightly in contact with them when it is fed therebetween towards valving The mechanism is so timed that holes 170 and 171 in the respective rollers come into registry between the sides of the bag and the open sides of the respective vacuum boxes 161 and 162, just as the end of the bag enters between the rollers. The

sides of the bag are thus held in engagement with the rollers and follow the rollers out ward, as the bag is fed forward and the rollers turn, until openings 170 and'171 pass beyond the vacuum boxes and the vacuum in the holes is broken.

lVhen the sides of the bag are released by the breaking of the vacuum in holes 170 and 171, the end of the gusset fold is opened so a that, as the bag continues to move forward, the fold encloses wedge 172 and thus is held opened sufficiently to enclose spreading members 173. Guides 174 direct the sides of the gusset fold between clamping members 175.

It will be seen that the vacuum spreading device opens the gusset at the proper time and to the proper amount, and that the rollers do not interfere with the lateral removal of the bag because they are in very light contact with the sides of the bag except when holes 17 0 and 171 are in registry with the V-shaped Vacuum boxes.

Other obvious modifications may be made in the vacuum-applying devices without departing from the broad idea of opening the gusset by pneumatic means so. that the spreading members may enter the gusset.

It will be readily understood that many changes can be made in the construction and operation of the various portions of the described apparatus without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The method which consists in feeding longitudinally a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths, deflecting successive lengths into separate paths, and tucking in one corner of each length to form a valve while it is in one of said paths.

2. The method which consists in feeding a substantially.continuous succession of tube lengths, deflecting successive lengths into different paths, halting each length while in one of said paths and, while it is at rest, tucking in one corner thereof to form a valve, and thereafter moving it away in time to make room for the next length deflected into that path.

The method which consists in feeding forward a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths, different lengths having differently placed corners adapted to be tucked in to form valves, deflecting the lengths into separate paths so that the lengths in each path have like corners adapted to be tucked in to form valves, and tucking in said corners while the lengths are in said paths.

4. The method which consists in feeding forward a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths, different lengths having differently placed corners adapted to be tucked in to form valves, deflecting the lengths into separate paths so that the lengths in each path have like corners adapted to be tucked in to form valves, halting each length temporarily while in its respective path, tucking in a corner of each length to form a valve while the length is halted, and advancing the length in time to make way for the next succeeding length fed into that path.

5. The method which consists in feeding forward a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths, deflecting successive lengths laterally into different paths, and tucking in one corner of each length to form a valve while in its respective path.

6. The method which consists in feeding forward a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths, deflecting successive lengths laterally into different paths, halting each length while in its respective path, tucking in one corner to form a valve, and thereafter moving the length laterally and downwardly to a position beneath that from which it was deflected.

7. The method which consists in feeding forward endwise a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths, projecting each length in turn over a subsequent support and dropping it thereon when the length is completely projected over said support, and thereafter moving the length sidewise from the support while projecting another length thereover.

8. The method which consists in feeding forward endwise a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths, projecting each length in turn over a subsequent support and dropping it thereon when the length is completely projected over said support, and thereafter moving the length sidewise from the support while projecting another length thereover, bringing the length to rest after it has been moved sidewise from said support, tucking in one corner of the length to form a valve while it is thus at rest, and moving the length away from its position at rest in time to receive the next length moved in that direction.

9. The method which consists in feeding forward endwise a substatially continuous succession of tube lengths, projecting each successive length in turn over a subjacent support and dropping the length thereon when it is completely projected thereover, and moving the lengths from said support sidewise, the alternate lengths in opposite directions, and each length while the forward end of the next successive length is being projected thereover.

10. In combination, means for feeding a v series of tube lengths in line, means for deflecting the advancing lengths, one at a time in succession, into a series of paths, a valver in each path, and means for operating each valver during the time in which oncoming lengths are deflected from the path in which said valver is located.

11. In apparatus of the character described, means to feed forward endwise a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths, means to deflect alternate lengths laterally in opposite directions, and means to tuck in one corner of each length to form a valve after the length has been deflected.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a support over which bag lengths may be fed, a support for bag lengths on a lower level, means to feed a. substantially continuous'succession of tube lengths over the first said support and project them above the second said support and drop them onto the second said support when completely projected thereover, and means to move each length after it is so dropped sidewise from the second said support while the next length is being projected thereover.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a support for tube lengths, a second support adjacent to and on a lower level than the first support, means for pushing a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths over the first support above and onto the second support, a pusher for the second support, and means to reciprocate the pusher across the second support so as to move tube lengths on said second support alternately in opposite directions.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a support for tube lengths, a second support adjacent to and on a lower level than the first support, means for pushing a substantially continuous succession of tube lengths over the first support above and onto the second support, a pusher for the second support, means to reciprocate the pusher across the second support so as to move tube lengths on said second support alternately in opposite directions, and a valver on each side of said second support in position to receive a tube length from the support.

15. In apparatus of the character described, a valve forming device, means for feeding a tube length sidewise into said valving device, and means for removing a tube length after valving sidewise in the opposite direction from which it is fed into the valver and to a lower level.

16. In apparatus of the character described, a valver adapted to tuck in one corner of a tube length having a gusseted side and including a member adapted to enter the gusset of such a length, means for feeding a tube length sidewise into position on said valver,'and means for opening the gusset as the length approaches final position on the valver.

17. In apparatus of the character described, a valver adapted to tuck in one corner of a tube length having a gusseted side and including a member adapted to enter the gusset of such a length, means for feeding a tube length sidewise into position onsaid valver, and vacuum means for opening the gusset as the length approaches final position on the valver.

18. In apparatus of: the character described, a valving device including a member adapted to enter the gusset of a tube length, means to feed atube length into position with respect to thedevice, and vacuum tubes pivoted above and below the path of the gusset as it approaches said device and adapted to contact the opposite sides of said gusset, and thereafter oscillate with the movement of the gusset and thereby separate the sides of the gusset.

\ 19. In apparatus of the character described, a valving device including a member adapted to enter the gusset of a tube length, means to feed a tube length sidewise into position in said device, vacuum ipes pivoted above and below the path 0% the gusset as it approaches said device and adapted to contact the opposite sides of the gusset and swing therewith to open the gusset as it approaches position in the device.

20. In apparatus of the character described, a valving device including a member adapted to enter the gusset of a tube length, means to feed a tube length sidewise into position in said device, vacuum pipes pivoted above and below the path of the gusset as it approaches said device and adapted to contact the opposite sides of the gusset and swing therewith to open the gusset as it approaches position in the device,

means to operate the valver, and means to remove the tube length in the reverse direction from that in which it is fed to the valver.

21. In apparatus of the character described, a valving device having a part adapted to enter the fold of a gusset-folded bag, and pneumatic means to open the gusset-fold as a bag is moved into position with respect to said valving device.

22. In apparatus of the character described, a valving device having a part adapted to enter the fold of a gusset-folded bag, and means to exhaust the air from above and beneath the gusset-fold as a bag is moved into position with respect to the valving device.

23. In apparatus of the character described, a valving device having a part adapted to enter the fold of a gusset-folded bag, and means to exhaust the air from above and beneath the gusset-fold as a bag is moved into position with respect to the valving device, said exhausting means travelling with the bag as the bag is moved into position.

24. In apparatus of the character described, a valving device having a member adapted to enter the fold of a gusset-folded bag, meansvfor moving a bag into position with respect to the valving device, means for opening the gusset-fold of the bag as it approaches the valving device to receive said member, and connections moving the feeding means and the gusset-opening means in timed relation.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed by name to this specification.

LOUIS H. HARTMAN. 

